jokes apart

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "jokes apart" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to indicate that you are no longer joking and that you are now being serious. For example: "Jokes apart, I think you should really consider my advice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Political jokes apart, the crisis has spawned much black humor as Serbs attempt to make the best of their situation.

The Washington Post

I wish I had much more space to take jokes apart, look at their cogs and springs, work out what makes them tick.

The Guardian

House of Saddam (BBC2) is like The Sopranos without the jokes, apart from a sterling performance by Chemical Ali ("You are a funny man, Ali") to lighten the thickening darkness.

The Guardian

As another commenter under my Jimmy Carr review had it: "Taking jokes apart, are we?! Oh, you must be fun at parties…" So where – apart from very low down most people's invitation list – does this leave comedy critics?

The Guardian

Here's a selection of comments about the Edinburgh show: "Breathtaking… Fleet street's very own angel of vengeance" (Guardian); "Scabrous and highly entertaining... a demolition job with jokes" (Independent); "Peppiatt has charm, wit and an ear for comedy – and, jokes apart, this is an important show" (Telegraph).

The Guardian

Hahn has said that he has also tried to retain (Irish bishopric jokes apart) as much of the original's penchant for personal expression and editorialising as possible, feeling the need for reference books to have "a voice" to be not just fun but vital in an age in which oceans of unfiltered data are only ever a click away.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

It's the longest-standing joke apart from Mornington Crescent, and it's all made up by readers.

The Guardian - Tech

It is impossible to conceive today – joking apart – of a "Johnson declaration" that could have even a fraction of the impact of the one made by Balfour.

The Guardian

It can be overwhelming, it can be tempting to just pursue the "woodland celebrities" and, joking apart, it can be hard to see the species for the trees.

The Guardian - Travel

She has one excellent gag line, after Dorothy disclaims witchy status: pointing at Toto, Glinda inquires, "Well, is that the witch?" This joke apart, she spends the scene looking generally benevolent and loving and rather too heavily powdered.

The New Yorker

The actual content of May's speech inevitably recalls the old joke: "Apart from that, Mrs Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?" Her task in the speech was not to rise above her party's plight but to outshine her rivals.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "jokes apart" to clearly signal a transition from a lighthearted discussion to a more serious or important topic. This helps maintain clarity and prevents misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "jokes apart" when no actual jokes or humorous exchanges have occurred. The phrase implies a deliberate shift in tone, so its use should be reserved for situations where such a shift is genuinely present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "jokes apart" functions as a prepositional phrase used as a discourse marker. It signals a transition from a humorous or light-hearted tone to a serious one. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "jokes apart" is a prepositional phrase used as a discourse marker to signal a shift from a humorous to a serious tone. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While its register is generally neutral, it finds frequent use in news and media contexts. Be mindful to only use it when there actually was a joke before. For alternative phrasing, consider "jokes aside" or "seriously speaking".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

jokes aside

Directly substitutes "apart" with "aside", keeping the core meaning unchanged.

humor aside

A concise alternative, focusing on setting aside the humor element.

all joking aside

Adds emphasis by specifying that all jokes are set aside.

putting jokes aside

More verbose alternative, emphasizing the act of consciously setting aside humor.

in all seriousness

Indicates a shift to a serious tone, focusing on the sincerity of the following statement.

seriously speaking

Replaces the entire phrase with a common idiom indicating a turn to seriousness.

on a serious note

Introduces a serious topic or consideration.

but seriously

A more conversational way to indicate a shift to a serious point.

frankly speaking

Indicates a desire to be direct and honest, often in contrast to previous levity.

to be serious

Signals a shift in tone towards earnestness.

FAQs

How can I use "jokes apart" in a sentence?

You can use "jokes apart" to signal a shift from a humorous tone to a serious one. For example: "Jokes apart, we need to address the budget issues immediately".

What phrases are similar to "jokes apart"?

Alternatives include "jokes aside", "seriously speaking", or "in all seriousness".

Is it appropriate to use "jokes apart" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider the specific context. More formal alternatives like "in all seriousness" might be preferable in highly formal documents.

What's the difference between "jokes apart" and "apart from the jokes"?

"Jokes apart" indicates a shift in the current conversation. "Apart from the jokes" introduces an exception or exclusion. For example, "Apart from the jokes, the presentation was informative".